THE gallery wall

Y'all...I don't know if its more embarrassing how long I've gone without blogging or how long my pictures and frames sat around before I hung my gallery wall? Lets just say they were both overdue.

I don't think I'll be spending hours writing blog posts anymore trying to make them "pinterest-worthy".  I have more important things to do like spend time with my husband and work on my fitness :) but I do want to give you a glimpse into whats going on around the house. Be warned: these are all phone pictures.

So I'm going to start by showing you the progression of my gallery wall. It all started with this daunting 7' x 11' wall that I had no idea what to do with. I searched high and low for a console table long enough that wouldn't break the bank. And then World Market came to my rescue and created the Everett Foyer Table. It was perfect!! Its no wonder its so popular with other bloggers because there aren't many other offerings in this size and price. AND with their sales (which they have often) + my member discounts I basically got it for nothing!

So then it was time to determine the style for my gallery wall and what I wanted it to include. Uniform or organic? Matching frames or not? Frames only or add wall decor? So many decisions!! I knew I wanted to include our wedding canvas and a mirror I got while at the beach. I also love the look of the ikea ribba frames. Once I collected all of the frames, it was time to fill them. I wanted each piece to have a special meaning so that it becomes a conversation piece when we have people over. I want to tell the stories of how each thing landed in my home.

Here is the console shortly after we got it (this is 2014 fall decor)

This mirror now resides in the guest bedroom. It was temporary until I could find another mirror for the living room.

After Christmas blah...I knew it was time!!

Artie decided to help me with the layout. I wish he could've unwrapped all the ikea frames... (p.s. the pics below that didn't make it on the gallery wall are actually going to go in our master since they are more personal)

 If I'm being honest...I didn't really measure everything out. I mostly eyeballed it. It took about 2 hours to get everything hung. That is not including cutting out templates for each frame.

 Almost finished!!

 All done...just in time for the 3 gatherings that we hosted!!

I've got a few more tweaks to make. I am going to paint that crate. (Those are Tim's records by the way. He bought a record player!) I will also probably relocate the wire basket and books so that I can center the wicker basket. And I actually bought this lamp for the guest BR so I may be switching that out. 

Well it's been a long process but so worth it!! Is there a project you are procrastinating at your house??

Tangerine Hues {Design Collaboration}

I'm back!! It's been a while but I have missed you all! Hope you enjoy this "minty" post and come back later to celebrate my blogiversary!!

Its time for the July Mood board collaboration!!
 Details:
Every month we will rotate choosing a color inspiration photo and all create a board based on it. It can be interior design, graphic design, fashion, etc. We will each post the boards on our blogs on the same day. Hopefully you will enjoy these inspiration filled posts. I know I am interested to see everyone's different styles and interpretations. You can click on the links to their blogs to see a full list of resources!

This month I got to choose our color palette! Mint and Orange look amazing together and I love the added touch of yellow in this inspiration photo. Mint is a VERY popular color right now especially in kitchens. My kitchen has teal and yellow accents and I love how sunny it is. I decided to create a board for a casual dining space with some kitchen accessories. Since so many kitchens are open concept now or have an eat-in area they should feel like one cohesive space.

This has definitely become my favorite design board. It is going to be filed away for my dream home!! 

Resources

Bar Stools: Target

Dining Table: World Market

Mint Canisters: World Market

Rug: Urban Outfitters

Drapes: Target

Pendant: Urban Outfitters

Colander: Target

Drinkware: Etsy

Rolling Pin: Anthropologie

Linen Napkins: Crate and Barrel

{Carissa from Carissa Miss} for me this picture just sang kitchen! {maybe it's because i have mint and yellow in mine} I just had to share some of my latest loves for kitchen accessories. i'm hoping to actually get some art up on the walls in my house, so if it is a little art-heavy that's why! after the kids' rooms are done then i'm planning on finishing the art in our entry-way makeover, and then FINALLY i can get to decorating the rest of the kitchen. come visit carissamiss.com to see sources!

{Amy from The Blissful Bee}

There is no better match than mint and orange! I had so much fun designing my pretend living room that it seriously made me want to add these colors into my own living space.

{Lizzie from Living Pretty}

I totally indulged myself with this challenge and made myself an office space. I don't have room for a real office in my house, but if I did it might look something like this - eclectic, fun and girly. Visit me at livingprettyblog.com for sources.

{Sarah from This Sarah Loves}

These colors inspired me to create a restful guest room mood board. I love the idea of mismatched nightstands - updating an old curvy dresser in fresh mint for one side and a more masculine grey desk for the other side. I would use lots of white to keep things fresh & raw wood to bring nature in. Add in some fun colorful art & a whimsical bronze rhino for a guest room that doesn't take itself too seriously. Stop by my blog http://thissarahloves.wordpress.com/ for sources.

Linking up with:

Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins

Face It Catalog

Tell Us Tuesday

Tanika's Living Room Mood Board

Are you ready for this week's mood board link party? I had a blast co-hosting with Beth last week! I am so thankful for her :) 

This week I have created a board for my friend Tanika over @ Growing Gracie! She responded back asking me to design her living room in yellow and grey! Woooo I was pumped! If there were no such thing as teal (which would be depressing)...yellow and grey would always be my go to. I love the warmth of the yellow paired with the coolness of the greys!! I hope you enjoy this board as much as I do (and hopefully Tanika too). AND Sara has used the board I created for her to redo her living room. The big reveal is coming soon!!

Tanika created a Pinterest board for me to use as inspiration. The two pictures above are the ones I wanted to use as a starting point.

What do you use the space for: 

"We watch tv there, and that's the place Daniel and I enjoy our "us" time. It's actually were we spend the majority of our time. He does his homework on the coffee table and Gracie and I will play with her toys on the floor so we can spend "some" family time together. It just brings us together as a family. Which is why it's the first room I want to tackle. :) "

I wanted this space to be comfy and cozy for Tanika and her family and still have some sophistication. I tried to maximize the amount of white so the space will be bright and will ground the dark grey sofa. And this time I had a budget to keep in mind :) (which is a little more of a challenge but I think can still create a great result).

Resources:

Grey Sofa: Crate and Barrel

Yellow Geometric Pillow: Target

White Stitched Pillow: Target

Grey and White Striped Blanket: Target

Grey and White Herringbone Rug: Urban Outfitters

Yellow Floral Curtains: Target

White Frames: Ikea (with Tanika's Instagram pics!)

White Nailhead Ottoman: Target

Ombre Yellow Lamp Base: Target

White Drum Shade: Target

Yellow Coffee Table: Target

Don't forget to enter our big cash/ad space giveaway! AND I am doing another small giveaway very soon (stay tuned!)

Linking up with:

 

Borrowed and Blue FEATURE

Guess what?? Our wedding is being featured over at Borrowed and Blue as wedding of the week! Go check that out ASAP! And if you want to see more of our wedding, head over {here}

I "met" Brielle through her blog Mr. D and Me. And now she has this event planning business and a very cute Etsy shop that even sells blog designs! Whew, I bet she stays busy!! Go on over and say hi to her :) And you can even submit your own wedding to be featured!!!

Goals Update for February (I know....I'm behind)

Here are those goals I mentioned I would be working on for 2013. I've given you an update after month 1, am I doing any better? Let's see!

1. Eat healthier Have to admit that I am not really doing this...its not quite as bad as around Christmas time but I know I can do better (less sweets and soda)
2. Exercise once more Still been trying to get to the gym twice a week. But I got a good workout helping some friends move last weekend.
3. Read 12 books (1 per month-gotta start small) Divergent was my month 2 book. Waiting on the second one from the library. Tempted to just buy it though.
4. Try more new recipes- Still need some new ideas. Trying to not eat the same things weekly/bi-weekly though
5. Make and order our wedding album Yikes...someone MAKE ME DO THIS
6. Be a better friend -yes, however I would love to send some of my friends some snail mail (packages would be better..too bad I'm poor haha)
7. Travel more - Visited our parents, went to Blacksburg and going to D.C. soon. I would say that is plenty for now.
8. Be more active at church -we've been going pretty much every week but I still want to get involved in a bible study. I think this would help me keep God in the forefront throughout the week.
9. Get more organized and get rid of clutter - Need to do some spring cleaning! and get rid of some old clothes when I switch them out. Otherwise we are pretty organized.
10. Do more DIY projects- gonna be soon once its warmer :D already have a few in mind!!
11. Blog more efficiently- This I am doing. I will try and pick down times to just write a bunch of posts and schedule them. And also responding to comments through email is much faster.
12. Do more for others-trying to think of ways to do this...my brides- let me know if you need ANYTHING! I know how stressful that can be!
13. Budget wisely-pretty proud of where we are with this...can't wait to get our tax return to pay off a loan!!

What are some suggestions you have to help me stick to my goals? What are some goals of yours for this year??

Happy Monday!

Mood Board: Bedroom

I'm back for another Tuesday Mood Board Link-up! This week I decided to step outside of my teal comfort zone.

This is my global inspired bedroom. The rich textures and patterns give it a warmth that make for a very cozy resting place. I love using design-seeds as my starting place for inspiration. All of the main pieces are neutral so you could easily swap out the color scheme by replacing the accessories (art, pillows, pouf, blanket)

What do you think of this color palette? What are some essentials for your bedroom? If you missed  my previous mood boards, be sure to check those out! {here, here} Now that I am looking at this board, it makes me think of this blog! Don't you agree?

Resources:

Curtains: Target
Frames: Target
Heart Print: Field Trip Etsy Shop
Virginia Print: Yassi's Place Etsy Shop
Headboard: Target
Sconces: Shades of Light
End Tables: Shop Ten 25
Navy Pillows: Target
Pink Pillows: Shop Ten 25
Yellow Pillow: Target
Down Comforter: Target
Pink Throw Blanket: Crate and Barrel
Yellow Pouf: Shades of Light
Mirror: Target
Rug: Shades of Light

Hope you are having a great week! I would love your feedback on the mood boards! What spaces/color schemes do you want to see? Also I LOVE LOVE LOVE all of your comments and I will get back to you as soon as I can! (which may be a few days but I promise I appreciate you!!)

Linking up with:

 

Will you BEE mine??

Hope that you had a wonderful Valentines Day...however you celebrated or didn't! I had a wonderful day :)

I woke up to pink sticky notes around the apartment with sweet messages on them!

We went to a Honeybee Seminar for work yesterday morning. It was a lot of fun and very informative. I have been craving honey constantly now. They taught us about the bee keeping process, how to harvest the honey, the life cycle of the bees and which plants are best for them. Then we went to lunch at Azzurros, which was delicious! I got a turkey, ham and swiss panini!

After work, I rushed home to see what my surprise was (and of course I hit EVERY red light). Tim was waiting for me with my package! I opened the box to see this beauty! I was squealing :D I think he knows me better than that survey led on...

EEEKKK! Yellow COACH PURSE!!

 

  

This was my festive outfit for the day. I even attempted some Pinterest nails.

 

Vest: Old Navy/ Cardigan: Old Navy/ Dress: Kohls/ Tights: J.Crew/ Boots: J.C Penney/ Bracelet: Kay Jewelers/ Watch: Gift (Fossil)

  

 

YUM! We also had Cinnapie! I wanted to make dessert (never made it to the grocery store)...but I guess I can do that any day. Tim deserves those cookie dough cupcakes he's been asking for!

My card to Tim! 

We didn't even get a picture together...woops! :(

We watched How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and the Valentines Big Bang Theory which was hilarious ("Romance Ninja") I couldn't have asked for a better first married Valentines Day with my hubs! (yay for firsts, right Kalyn?)

Also, WELCOME new readers :) I am sooo happy that you are here! You all are so sweet and I am overjoyed at all the kind comments you have been leaving me :)

AND I have my new blog design almost ready...so that will be up really soon! Like my facebook page for a sneak peek!

Have a wonderful weekend! Don't forget to show your loved ones LOVE every day!

Wedding Wednesday #4

Happy Wedding Wednesday! Today's topic is STATIONARY!

Before I get into things, I want to wish my Mama a Happy Birthday! Love you!!

Stationary can define what your wedding is all about. It is the only picture into your wedding that your guests will receive beforehand.

You want all of it to be cohesive but it doesn't have to be too matchy. I was so thankful to have plenty of time to plan our wedding so I could find the best deal and make the best decision.

I knew I wanted our save the dates to include our engagement photos. I spent a ton of time searching for the perfect invitations. When I saw the mason jar shaped ones I couldn't pass them up. Etsy had so many beautiful ones but many were out of our price range. Remember that simple is better for a budget friendly wedding. The more elaborate you get the more costly and time consuming it is.

Save the dates:
Did them myself. You don't have to do a save the date but since we had such a long engagement I decided to.

Invitations:
The Blue Envelope Etsy Shop. They worked with me until we got the font, wording and colors just right! I was more than pleased with them and received many comments on how beautiful and unique they were.

Programs:
Did them myself. I waited until the last minute but still happy with the result. Had to cut them all out!

Guest Book:
Its My Day Etsy Shop. Love my guest book! Its made as a binder so you can add/take away pages if you please. So happy we could do the burlap to tie into our theme.

Here were some of my inspirations photos from Pinterest when I was thinking about my stationary:

source

source

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source

Do you think stationary is an important aspect of a wedding? Do you think mine reflected the rest of our wedding?

To see more Wedding Wednesday posts go (here), (here) and (here)

Don't forget to link up to Wedding Wednesday w/ Mary @ A Happy Wife in NOLA!

Linking up to:

 

XO Samantha